Walter "Richard" Long, Sr. of Steelville, MO was born on Wednesday, December 6, 1944 in St. Louis, MO to Paul William Long, Sr. and Blanche Williams Long. He passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at The Arbors in Cuba, MO at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 12 days.

Richard grew up in St. Louis, MO until moving to Viburnum.  His family lived around Davisville, Cherryville and Steelville and attended Cherryville High School until his sophomore year.  He then moved to Georgia to stay with his uncle and graduated from Alpharetta High School.   He married Norma Joel Hedrick on November 16, 1963 in Boss, MO and to this union two children were born.  He served our country honorably in the United States Army. He then ran a cattle farm and worked at Doe Run as a Maintenance Foreman and Consultant for 26 years. During that time he traveled to Peru to look over the mines to see if they were a good purchase for the company.  He ended up retiring twice from Doe Run.  Richard also worked at Scott’s Mechanical Shop in Sullivan and was a bus driver for Steelville Schools.  He was a passionate member of the Masonic Lodge #77 AF & AM. He had accepted the Lord and attended the Steelville Assembly of God in Steelville, MO. Richard enjoyed boating, waterskiing and spent many summers camping at different lakes.  He sponsored his grandson Mickey’s go-cart races. He loved classic cars.  He liked to travel and was intrigued by different cultures.  He loved to play the guitar and had memorized Stairway to Heaven.  Most of all, Richard loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Blanche Long; loving wife of 54 years Norma Long; father-in-law Norman Hedrick; siblings Bill (Helene) Long, Delores (Dave) Frederick and Jack Randall; and brother-in-law Eddie Johns.

Richard is survived by his children Angie Long of Union, MO and Richie Long of Leasburg, MO; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Long of Cuba, MO; 4 grandchildren Mickey Long and Maria Long both of Cuba, MO, Hanna Mutz (fiancé Gage Asher) and Ryan Mutz both of Union, MO; mother-in-law Verla Hedrick; brother-in-law Jerry (Penny) Hedrick of Willard, MO; sisters-in-law Sonya Johns of St. Louis, MO and Ella Randall of Boston, GA; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
 

Visitation was from 11:00 AM to 12:30PM on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.  The Masonic Lodge #77 A.F. & A.M. service was at 12:30PM. Funeral Service followed at 1:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.  Burial was at Boss Cemetery in Boss, MO with full military honors.  Memorials were suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements under the care of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.